Cruising Alaska by Luxury Ship

Exploring Alaska by yourself can be difficult and expensive, so one easy, and often preferred, alternative for exploring one of the two states not comprising the Lower 48, is by cruise ship. By booking a cruise, you’ll be able to see parts of Alaska not accessible by road, and really get a feel for the 49th state’s magnificent landscape. And you’ll also have opportunities to pause and explore some of its key ports like Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau, the only U.S. state capital that can’t be reached by road!

Often referred to as the last frontier, Alaska cruise itineraries usually goes to the Inside Passage, which is a beautiful stretch of wilderness along the southeast coast. Along the way, you’ll pass the famous Hubbard Glacier, as well as other glaciers and fjords. There’s also the chance to spot a wildlife from bear to moose.

Here are three of our favorite luxury cruise ship operators in Alaska.

1. Regent Seven Seas

A top luxury cruise company, the Regent Seven Seas does a 7-night Alaska cruise in its all suite vessel that departs and returns from Vancouver. The food is quite good and the on-ship amenities include a branch of the Canyon Ranch Spa, where you can get sublime massages before watching the sunset on the ship deck. Most Alaska cruises with this relaxed luxury company also feature guest-favorite lecturer Terry Breen, a cultural anthropologist specialized in Alaska who has been sailing the Inside Passage for over 20 years.

2. Silversea

For the ultimate luxurious Alaskan cruise book with Silversea, which has more flashy luxury in its decor than the Seven Seas ships. The Silver Shadow ship offers extra roomy suite cabins, which come with butler service and full baths with separate showers (and 80 percent include private balconies) With nearly as many staff here as guests, the Silver Shadow is also known for its friendly and attentive service. On ship amenities include a casino, spa and pool, and four different restaurants.

3. Celebrity Infinity

It’s a step down luxury wise, but also more affordable and the Celebrity Infinity and Millennium ships are stunning and feature extensive art collections, cushy public rooms and expanded spa areas that feature thalassotherapy pools and a wealth of soothing and beautifying treatments. Most of the cabins feature private verandahs for taking in the constantly shifting, but always stunning, scenery.